This is a used Astro Tech 80 f/6 achromat telescope in excellent condition. It is in such good condition, it could be sold as new. There are no marks on the telescope at all. Italso includes the soft padded carry case, which is in excellent, like new, condition as well.
The Astronomy Technologies Astro-Tech AT80WH white refractor has outstanding optics in addition to some very unique features that put this economical telescope in a class by itself. Noted refractor designer Thomas M. Back said of the telescope's optics, "I had the opportunity to test the optics from a new supplier of high quality achromats. The first thing I noticed was the excellent multi-coatings. The reflectivity was very low, noticeably better than any other standard achromat I've seen. On my optical test bench, the wavefront was well above average. No coma, astigmatism, zones, and the spherical correction was corrected well beyond the diffraction limit. Contrast was also very high, making this lens excellent for not only wide field views, but lunar and planetary work." High praise indeed from someone known for designing apochromatic refractors costing up to $30,000.
Add to those exceptional optics unique features like a dual speed microfine Crayford-style focuser, normally an option that can cost $150 and up, and you have a telescope that has no competition in this price range. This 15" long refractor optical tube (17.75" long with the lens shade extended) has the right balance of aperture and focal length to use as a low-power rich field telescope, as a medium-power planetary telescope, or as any kind of telescope in between. The AT80's compact size, light weight, and convenient removable L-shaped mounting shoe that fits any photographic tripod also make it an excellent terrestrial spotting scope for vacations, birding, or nature studies. In addition, optional camera adapters turn the AT80 into a superb 480mm (9.6x) f/6 telephoto lens.
If this Astronomy Technologies AT80 was just another 80mm aperture, 480mm focal length, f/6 refractor, the quality of its optics alone would make it a superb value. Add the unique features, like the dual speed microfine focuser at no extra cost, and you have a scope that has absolutely no equal at its very affordable price.
Features of this Telescope . . .
- Achromatic refractor optics: 80mm (3.1") aperture, 480mm focal length, f/6 focal ratio crown and flint glass doublet lens. The spurious color halos and fringing so often visible in other refractors in this price range are minimized by careful design and precision fabrication of the optics. Some telescope manufacturers use the term "semi-apochromatic" to describe their achromatic optics, believing this adds a cachet of extra performance to their scopes. Since there is no accepted definition of what a "semi-apo" actually is or does, Astronomy Technologies prefers to agree with refractor designer Tom Back, as quoted above, and only call this scope what it truly is - a "high quality achromat."
- Multicoated optics: The objective lens has the latest state-of-the-art antireflection multicoatings on all air-to-glass surfaces for high light transmission and excellent contrast. This can easily be seen by looking into the objective lens of the scope. Virtually no reflection of your face will be seen. It's a sure sign that the high transmission coatings are doing their job, by letting virtually all the light enter the scope, rather than reflecting some back to your eye.
- Internal light baffles: There are ten contrast-enhancing light baffles in the optical tube, for truly dark sky backgrounds and high terrestrial contrast. In addition, the edges of the objective lens are blackened to eliminate contrast-reducing stray internal reflections.
- Dew shield: A self-storing retractable dew shield slows the formation of dew on the lens in cold weather to extend your undisturbed observing time. It also improves the contrast, similar to the effect of the lens shade on a camera lens, when observing during the day or when there is excessive ambient light at night, such as a neighbor's backyard security light.
- Dual speed microfine Crayford-style focuser: The precision-made 2" focuser has dual focusing knobs. One is for coarse focusing and the other for a 11:1 reduction gear microfine focusing ratio for precise image control during visual observing, 35mm or CCD imaging, or when using the scope as a photoguide. A dual speed microfine Crayford focuser for a refractor (either add-on or upgrade) normally costs $150 to $395 all by itself (if available at all), but you get one at no extra cost with the Astronomy Technologies AT80. The focus knobs have ribbed gripping surfaces so they are easy to operate, even while wearing gloves or mittens in cold weather. The 2.5" travel focuser drawtube has a scale marked in 1mm increments so you can note focuser positions for easy return to the correct focus when switching between visual use and photography. The 2" focuser drawtube uses a soft brass compression ring to hold star diagonals and camera adapters in place. The compression ring won't scratch the barrel of your star diagonal as an ordinary thumbscrew can. The focuser can rotate a full 360 Degree and locked in place to set up a camera in a landscape or portrait orientation, as well as putting an eyepiece into the most comfortable observing position.
- 1.25" eyepiece adapter: The supplied 1.25" eyepiece/star diagonal adapter uses a soft brass compression ring to hold a star diagonal or terrestrial image-erecting diagonal in place. The compression ring won't scratch the barrel of your star diagonal or image erector as an ordinary thumbscrew can. The barrel of the adapter is threaded to accept standard 2" (48mm) eyepiece filters. A safety groove cut into the 2" barrel of the adapter is designed to engage the compression ring of the focuser and keep the 1.25" adapter from falling should the drawtube compression ring accidentally loosen during use.
- Mounting shoe/tripod adapter: The scope has a removable L-shaped mounting shoe/tripod adapter that fits any camera tripod with a standard 1/4"-20 thread mounting bolt. It has two tripod mounting holes to allow you to balance the weight of camera or heavy 2" eyepieces and accessories. The front hole balances the scope for 1.25" diagonal and 1.25" eyepiece use. The rear hole balances it when a camera or a heavy 2" diagonal and 2" eyepiece are mounted. One hex head bolt holds the mounting shoe in place. This allows it to easily be removed to install the AT80 in optional 90mm mounting rings for use on an equatorial mount or as a piggyback photoguide or super finder. Cork pads on the underside of the L-bracket help keep the scope from swiveling when mounted on a tripod.
- Tube finish: The finish of the anodized optical tube is white with black trim. A predrilled and tapped hole is provided in the focuser housing for installing a finderscope mounting shoe.
- Supplied accessories: A slip-on metal dust cap is standard. The scope comes in a soft foam-fitted 19" x 11" x 6.3" nylon carrying case that has cutouts for the scope, a 1.25" or 2" star diagonal, and up to three eyepieces.
- Two year warranty: As an expression of the confidence Astronomy Technologies has in the quality of their products, the AT80R is protected by a two-year limited warranty against flaws in materials and workmanship.
